Gridsome vs. Eleventy

ImageBy SW Habitation
Gridsome

Gridsome

vs
11ty

Eleventy

Have you ever been to a website that loads super fast? Chances are it uses an SSG (Static Site Generator). It’s a tool that builds your site ahead of time, so when someone visits, they get the page instantly. No waiting around for things to load it’s just there.

What is Gridsome?

Gridsome is a Vue.js-based static site generator that pulls data from various sources — like APIs, Markdown, or CMSs — and builds blazing-fast static sites. It handles everything from data fetching to page generation, letting you focus on crafting beautiful UIs with Vue.

Key Features of Gridsome

key features of gridsome
  • PWA Support: Turn your site into a Progressive Web App effortlessly.
  • Vue-Powered: Leverages the simplicity and power of Vue.js.
  • Hot Reloading: Instant updates during development.
  • Image Optimization: Automatically optimizes images for faster loading.
  • SEO-Friendly: Pre-renders pages and offers meta tag management.
  • GraphQL Data Layer: Fetch data from any source and use GraphQL to query it.
  • Automatic Code Splitting: Loads only what’s needed for each page.

Advantages of Gridsome

  • Image Optimization: Automatically optimizes images for faster loading.
  • SEO-Friendly: Pre-renders pages and offers meta tag management.
  • Vue-Powered: Leverages the simplicity and power of Vue.js.
  • Hot Reloading: Instant updates during development.
  • GraphQL Data Layer: Fetch data from any source and use GraphQL to query it.
  • PWA Support: Turn your site into a Progressive Web App effortlessly.
  • Automatic Code Splitting: Loads only what’s needed for each page.

Disadvantages of Gridsome

  • Less Community Support: Smaller community compared to Gatsby or Next.js.
  • GraphQL Requirement: Requires some GraphQL knowledge.
  • Vue-Only: Not ideal if you’re unfamiliar with Vue.js.

What is Eleventy ?

Eleventy is a static site generator that takes your content whether it’s Markdown, HTML, or other template languages and compiles it into static HTML files.

Unlike some other SSGs, Eleventy doesn’t lock you into a specific front-end framework, giving you the freedom to structure your project however you like. It’s designed to be simple, flexible, and fast, making it a favorite among web developers who appreciate minimalism.

Key Features of Eleventy

KeyFeatures of Eleventy
  • Community Support: Growing community with tons of plugins and resources.
  • Great for SEO: Generates static HTML, making your site search engine-friendly.
  • Multiple Template Languages: Supports Markdown, Nunjucks, Liquid, Pug, and more.
  • Fast Builds: Optimized for performance with lightning-fast build times.
  • Simple Configuration: No complex setup — just a simple .eleventy.js config file.
  • Flexible Data Handling: Use front matter, JSON, or JavaScript to handle data.
  • No JavaScript Framework Required: Works with plain HTML and CSS if you prefer.

Advantages of Eleventy

  • Lightweight: No heavy dependencies or boilerplate code.
  • Fast and SEO-Friendly: Static HTML means quick load times and great SEO.
  • Simplicity: No need to overthink just build.
  • Ideal for Content-Driven Sites: Perfect for blogs, portfolios, and documentation.
  • Flexible Content: Use different templating languages in one project.

Disadvantages of Eleventy

  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features: Requires plugins for things like image optimisation or RSS feeds.
  • Minimal Abstractions: No built-in state management — you handle everything yourself.
  • Learning Curve: Understanding its flexibility takes a bit of time.

Comparison Between Gridsome vs Eleventy

FeaturesGridsomeEleventy
Ease of UseModerate to Advanced - Requires Vue.js and GraphQLModerate - Simple setup but flexible options
Page ManagementComponent-Based : Uses Vue components for UITemplate-Based : Supports multiple template languages
Multi-Language SupportPlugin-Based : Requires plugins for i18nCustom Implementation : No built-in i18n support
PerformanceVery Fast - Optimized builds and code splittingFast - Minimal overhead
IntegrationsFlexible Data Sources - Supports APIs, CMSs, Markdown, and morePlugin-Based : Expand functionality with community plugins
PricingFree (Open Source)Free
Best ForBlogs, Portfolios, E-commerce, Content-Rich Sites : Ideal for Vue loversBlogs, Portfolios, Documentation Sites : Perfect for content-driven projects

Use Cases of Gridsome

  • Vue Enthusiasts: If you already know Vue, Gridsome is a natural fit.
  • Fast and SEO-Optimized Sites: Automatic pre-rendering makes SEO a breeze.
  • API-Driven Projects: Works great with headless CMSs, APIs, and data-heavy projects.
  • Content-Driven Sites: Blogs, portfolios, documentation sites.

Use Cases of Eleventy

  • Personal Blogs and Portfolios: Simple content-focused sites.
  • SEO-Friendly Sites: Static HTML means better indexing by search engines.
  • Documentation Sites: Great for organising and presenting technical documentation.
  • Minimalist Projects: Ideal when you want full control with minimal abstraction.

Conclusion

Static Site Generators are a big game changer if you’re looking to build a website that’s fast, secure, and easy to maintain. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, portfolio, or a business website, they give you the freedom to focus on what really matters, your content and your users without all the extra complexity.

The best part? You’re not locked into one way of doing things. You can choose the tools and tech you’re most comfortable with, and scale things up as your site grows. From lightning-fast load times to better SEO and easy hosting, SSGs make the whole process smoother.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what fits your workflow and goals best. Pick the one that feels right to your requirements, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful, high-performing website that you’re proud of 🙌

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Frequently asked questions

Is Gridsome based on Vue?

Does Gridsome support GraphQL?

Does Gridsome have a free plan?

Is Gridsome good for large sites?

Is Eleventy fast?

Does Eleventy have built-in data handling?

Is Eleventy SEO-friendly?

Does Eleventy support multiple templates?

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